Bracket assembly



Jan. 10, 1967 G. KNAVER 3,297,283

BRACKET ASSEMBLY Original Filed Feb. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1. ouis(3. Knavcr ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1967 L. G. KNAVER BRACKET ASSEMBLY OriginalFiled Feb. 6, 1965 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1967 1.. s.KNAVER 3,297,283

BRACKET ASSEMBLY Original Filed Feb. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet s us no 13oZ7." mvmw m Lou/'5 Q #0241 ver ATTORNEY United States Patent 4 Claims.(Cl. 248-4) This application is a division of my copending application,Serial No. 430,526, filed February 5, 1965, now Pat. No. 3,259,098.

The subject invention relates generally to a bracket means and moreparticularly is directed to a bracket assembly which is adapted tosupport a propulsion device with respect to a small boat or other craftfor propelling or driving the same.

The bracket assembly may be utilized wherever applicable, but ispreferably designed and constructed for connection with a frame carryingpropulsion means. The bracket assembly comprises receiving meanspreferably in the form of a clamp for accommodating a support, such as aportion of a boat, pivot means for pivotally connecting the frame to thereceiving means, and complementary means respectively carried by atubular means of the frame and the receiving means whereby the frame andpropulsion means, as a unit, may be adjustably secured in any one of anumber of infinite pivotal angular positions within a predeterminedrange relative to the bracket assembly. Otherwise expressed, theorganization is preferably such that the frame and propulsion means, asa unit, may be swung or pivoted in a plane substantially parallel ortransverse to the longitudinal axis of a boat to any operating positiondesired or into a boat for nonuse.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modified bracketassembly for mounting a unit such as a frame and propulsion means forvertical adjustment with respect to a boat.

Additional important objects of the invention are to provide bracketassemblies which offer advantages with respect to manufacture andassembly, ease and speed of installation, operation or manipulation,efficiency, durability, reliability and safety.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent afterthe description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction withthe drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a propulsion device embodyingone or more inventions;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the propulsion device as appliedto the gunwale of a boat for the purpose of illustrating various of itsoperative positions with respect thereto;

FIGURE 3 is a partial vertical section taken through the propulsionmeans or propeller means of the drive illustrating a mode of adjustment;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial vertical section, taken through an upperextremity of the device, showing details of side members of the frameand mode of supporting a drive shaft and short shaft axially alignedtherewith;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken through a crank structure whichis operatively connected to the drive and short shafts referred to inthe preceding paragraph;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial vertical section taken through a lowerextremity of the device, showing details with respect to the mode inwhich a driven shaft and short shaft are mounted or journalled on theframe, including details of the driven shaft whereby to facilitateattachment of the propulsion or propeller means thereto;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken 3,297,283 Patented Jan.10, 1967 through the device, shown in FIGURE 1, depicting a mode ofmounting a guide means for an elongate means or link which operativelyconnects the drive and driven shafts;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view of a receiving means or bracketassembly which is utilized to detach or mount the device with respect toa portion of a boat such as a gunwale thereof, with portions of thereceiving means being shown in section to depict details;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse elevational view of the receiving means, withportions in section to illustrate details of the structure;

FIGURE 10 is a transverse section taken through an appropriate part ofthe receiving means illustrating the mode of pivotally mounting thedevice;

FIGURE 11 is a front elevational view of a modified propulsion device;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view, on a reduced scale, of the deviceshown in FIGURE 11 depicting an operative position of the device;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of a propulsion means or paddlestructure constituting a part of the device illustrated in FIGURE 11,with portions in section to illustrate a mode of mounting the same;

FIGURE 14 is a transverse section taken through a means affordingvertical and pivotal adjustment of the device with respect to thereceiving means; and

FIGURE 15 is a partial horizontal section taken through a means wherebyto facilitate mounting an upper extremity of the paddle structure to theframe Referring to the embodiment of the invention exemplified inFIGURES 1 through 10, there is shown a device comprising an elongatesubstantially rectangular narrow frame generally designated 1, a driveshaft 2 journalled or rotatably supported in the upper extremity of theframe, a driven shaft 3 journalled or rotatably supported in a lowerextremity of the frame, propulsion means generally designated 4 carriedby the driven shaft, an elongate means or link 5 which is operativelyconnected to the shafts in a manner whereby rotation of the drive shaftwill impart rotation to the driven shaft and propulsion means carriedthereby. A bracket means generally designated 6 is connected to theframe whereby to facilitate adjustment of the device in any one of anumber of positions with respect to mounting, such as the side of a boat7.

The frame 1 may be designed and constructed in various ways, but ispreferably comprised of a pair of parallel longitudinally extendingsubstantially corresponding hollow side members 8 and 9. The upper andlower ends of these members are preferably respectively held together inspaced relation by a pair of tubular spacers 10 secured in place bybolts 11 extending through the side members and the spacers. A pair ofgenerally U-shaped members 12 are also respectively secured in bridgingrelation to the ends of the side members by the bolts which extendthrough legs of the U-shaped members. The members may serve as handleswhereby to facilitate handling of the device.

The drive shaft 2 above referred to, as depicted in FIG- URE 4, ispreferably journalled in a tubular means generally designated 13 whichis secured in a lateral position to the member 9. This tubular meansincludes a sleeve or cylindrical element 14 and inner and outer bearing15 and 16 which are secured in the sleeve and support the shaft 2. Thesleeve 14 extends into the side member 9 and is secured thereto bywelding 17 and the inner bearing 15 has a portion 18 extending into themember 9 and a head 19 engaging the inner end of the sleeve and innerside of the member 9. A stub shaft 20 is journalled in the side member 8of the frame in axial alignment with the drive shaft. A fitting or asubstantially U-shaped crank generally designated 21 has arms 22 and 23which are respectively connected to the drive shaft 2 and stub shaft 20.The arms of the fitting are preferably detachably connected or clampedto the shafts by providing the arms with relatively movable portions 24and screws 25 as shown in FIGURE 5. The stub shaft is preferablyrotatably supported in a bearing 26 which has a portion 27 extendinginto the frame member 8 and a head 28 engaging an inner side of themember 8. Washers 29 may be interposed between the heads of the bearings15 and 26 and the arms of the fitting. The drive shaft may be driven byany suitable means but is preferably provided with an offset portion 30and a handle 31 whereby to facilitate manual operation thereof as shownin FIG- URE 1.

The driven shaft 3, above referred to, is journalled in the side member8 of the frame and a stub shaft 32 is journalled in the side member 9 inaxial alignment with the driven shaft. These shafts are respectivelysupported in corresponding bearings 33 which are similar to orcorrespond to the bearings 15 and 26. A fitting or substantiallyU-shaped crank 34, similar or corresponding to the crank 21, abovereferred to, has arms which are respectively connected to the drivenshaft 3 and stub shaft 32.

A guide means, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 7, and preferably in the formof a tubular element 35 is pivotally or rockably mounted on the frameand slidably receives the elongate means 5 preferably in the form of alink or rod. This element is preferably jointly and adjustably supportedby the side members 8 and 9 for disposition therebetween by pivot means,such as screws 36 having headed inner conical ends 37 which engageconical seats 38 provided in the element 35. The cranks 21 and 34 arepreferably respectively operatively connected to the link 5 by bolts 39which extend through the arms of the cranks and through the ends of thelink. The link may be designed and constructed as desired but as shownis made from a length of pipe having flattened ends provided withapertures through which the bolts extend. Washers 40 may be interposedbetween the ends of the link and the arms of the cranks.

It is to *be observed that the tubular means 13 and drive shaft 2project laterally or perpendicular from the frame in one direction andthat the driven shaft 3 extends laterally or perpendicular from theopposite side of the frame. It will also be apparent that the tubularmeans, drive and driven shafts, stub shafts, and the side members of theframe are all disposed substantially in the same plane and that thecranks, link, propulsion means, and the offset portion of the driveshaft may also be disposed in this plane depending on their relativerotative positions with respect to one another. These features promotestorage, shipment and convenience in installation. Also, correspondencebetween certain of the components or parts, such as the frame members,cranks and certain bearings promotes manufacture and assembly.

The propulsion means 4 may be designed and construeted in various waysbut, as best illustrated in FIG- URES 1 and 3, it is preferablycomprised of a pair of substantially corresponding planar sections,paddles, vanes, or propellers 41 and 42 which are adjustably connectedto the driven shaft 3. More specifically in this respect, the drivenshaft is provided with a planar or flat portion 43 from which extends acenter lug or pin 44 and a pair of threaded studs 45 spaced from thecenter pin and carrying wing nuts 46. Each of the paddles is preferablyprovided with a pair of parallel slots 47 for receiving the studs 45 anda row of longitudinally spaced holes 48 between the slots forselectively receiving the lug 44. The organization is preferably suchthat either paddle may be selectively and adjustably connected to thedriven shaft so that any one of the holes may be caused to accommodatethe lug with the studs extending through the slots for securing thepaddles in any desired fixed overlapping relationship, With this uniquesetup, each of the paddles is keyed to the shaft for radial adjustmentin any desired position with respect thereto whereby the area of thepaddles may be increased or decreased to promote or reduce thepropulsive forces depending on the rotary speed of the driven shaft andpropulsion means. Such adjustment of the paddles is also desirable fro-mthe standpoint of compensating for draft or variations in the weight ina boat.

Any means suitable for the purpose may be utilized for attaching orconnecting the device with respect to a boat or other mounting, but thebracket assembly 6 depicted in FIGURES l, 8, 9 and 10 has proven to bevery practical and satisfactory. This bracket assembly includes what maybe termed a C-clamp 49, pivot means generally designated 50 andadjustable means generally designated 51.

The clamp comprises an upper portion 52, a downturned portion or leg 53provided with an inturned abutment 54, and a leg 55 opposite the leg 53which is provided with a screw 56 for firmly detachably clamping a sideor gunwale of the boat between the legs through the agency of a handle56'.

The pivot means generally designated 50 preferably includes a member 57having a base 58, a pair of corre sponding upturned resiliently flexibleportions or legs 59 provided with apertures 60. Fastening means, such asa rivet 61 extends through the portion 52 of the clamp and the base 58of the member 57 for securing the member to the clamp. The pivot meansalso includes an annular collar or sleeve 62 having a diameter fordisposition between the legs and pintles 63 which extend through theapertures for connecting the collar to the legs for pivotal movementwith respect thereto. Due to the fact that the legs are flexible, thecollar may be readily detachably connected to the legs. The collar is ofa tubular character and adapted to slidably and pivotally receive thetubular bearing means 13 of the propulsion device.

The adjustable means generally designated 51 may be designed andconstructed in various ways but, as illustrated, includes a member orfitting 64 having a base portion 65 and upturned legs 66 provided withaligned apertures 67 therein. Fastening means, such as rivets 68, may beutilized to secure the base portion 65 of the member 64 to the upperportion of the clamp 49. A bolt 69 extends through the apertures 67 inthe legs and includes a wing nut 70, as best shown in FIGURE 9. Theadjustable means also includes an elongate fitting 71 having an offsetextremity provided with receiving means preferably in the form of a slot72 which is adapted to accommodate a shank of the bolt 69. This slot ispreferably disposed at an oblique angle with reference to thelongitudinal axis of the fitting. The fitting is also provided with agenerally centrally disposed opening 73 through which the bearing means13 of the propulsion device extends and its opposite extremity ispreferably split to provide opposed relatively movable portions 74 whichcan be manipulated by fastener or means preferably in the form of a bolt75, similar to the bolt 69, to move the opposed portions toward oneanother for adjustably and firmly clamping the adjustable means to thetubular means 13. A locking element or an abutment means 76, as shown inFIGURES 1 and 4, is preferably carried by the tubular means 13 forholding the bracket assembly 6 connected thereto.

The bracket assembly affords an inexpensive but pracheal and durablemeans for readily detachably connecting the propulsion device to a boatand due to the fact that the tubular means 13 is both slidably androtatabl nected to the pivot means 50 and the adjustable means 51 of thebracket assembly the propulsion device may be [readily adjusted todispose or locate the frame 1 and propulsion means 4 carried thereby inany desired lat l vertical position in relation to the side of a boat.This may be accomplished by merely loosening the wing nut of the bolt 75so that the tubular means 13 may be moved horizontally through thecollar 62 and the fitting 71 and then tightened. Also, the wing nut ofthe bolt 75 may be manipulated so that the tubular means 13 may berotated with respect to the collar and fitting and then locked in aposition to locate the frame 1 and propulsion means 4 in any desiredinclined position for operation, as illustrated by the dotted lines inFIGURE 2. Moreover, the wing nut 70 of the lower bolt 69 of theadjustable means 51 may be loosened so that the frame 1 and propulsionmeans 4 carried thereby may be manually swung to an inclined ordiverging position in relation to the side of a boat and then locked inplace by tightening the nut. This is accomplished through the agency ofthe lower bolt 6'9 and the angularly disposed slot 72 provided in thelower extremity of the fitting as described above. Obviously, theadjustments just described may be varied to suit different con ditionssuch as, for example, the shape of the side wall of a boat, the normaldraft of the boat and the weight carried by the boat. Assuming that apair of propulsion devices are respectively carried by the oppositesides of a boat, propulsion of the latter may be readily accomplished bymerely cranking the devices to rotate the propulsion means in thedirection one desires to travel.

Referring now to the modified embodiment or structure of the inventionexemplified in FIGURES 11 through 15, and particularly to FIGURE 11,there is disclosed a frame structure generally designated 100, elongatedpro pulsion means generally designated 101 and bracket means generallydesignated 102.

The frame 100 includes side members 103 and 104, cranks 105 and 106, alink 107 connecting the cranks, guide means 108 for the link, spacers109, handles 110 and tubular means 111, all of which generallycorrespond to those above described in connection with the embodimentillustrated in FIGURE 1. More particularly, the side member 104 carriesthe tubular means 111 in which a drive shaft 112 is journalled like theshaft 2. A driven shaft 113, constituting a crank, is journalled in theside member 103 and includes a portion 114 offset from its journalledportion and a lateral or transverse portion 115 which is offset from theportion 114 and rotatably connected to a lower extremity of thepropulsion means 101. An upper end or extremity of the propulsion means101 is pivotally connected to a fixed shaft 116 extending laterally ortransversely from the frame 100 in parallel relation to the lateralportion 115 of the driven shaft. This fixed shaft 116 has an inner endwhich is adjustably clamped between a pair of opposed relatively movablemembers 117 of a clamp 118. These members include relatively flatportions through which bolts 119 extend and also generallysemi-cylindrical portions 120 which slidably receive or adjustablyembrace the frame member 103, as clear ly illustrated in FIGURES 11 and15. The bolts serve to simultaneously secure the shaft 116 in place aswell as the members 117 to the frame member 103.

The propulsion means 101 may be designed and constructed in various waysbut, as exemplified in FIGURES 11 and 13, it is elongate, substantiallyplanar and comprised of an upper section or panel 121 and a lower andshorter section or panel 122. The upper section is rectangular in shapeand the lower section has a rounded lower end.

The upper section 121 is provided with a fitting 123 which istransversely secured thereto by rivets 124 or equivalent means. Thisfitting preferably includes a generally cylindrical portion 125 whichpivotally receives the fixed shaft 116. Washers 126 are carried by theshaft for disposition at the ends of the fitting for an obvious purpose.

The lower section 122 is preferably secured to the upper section by apair of corresponding cleats 127 which are clamped against oppositesides of the sections by pairs of rivets 128 and 129. The cleats arepreferably provided with semi-cylindrical portions 130 defining a tubu-6 lar formation which pivotally receives the lateral portion of thedriven shaft 113.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that rotation of thedriven shaft 112 by any suitable means, such as the crank shown, willimpart a stroking action to the propulsion means 101, due to the mode ofpivotally connecting its upper end to the fixed shaft 116 and its lowerextremity to the offset portion 115 of the driven shaft 113, asdistinguished from the rotary propulsion means 4 above described.

Any means suitable for the purpose, such as the bracket means 102, maybe employed for detachably connecting the propulsion device illustratedin FIGURE 11 to the side of a boat. The bracket means 102 substantiallycorresponds to the bracket means generally designated 6, above referredto, and is adjustably mounted on an ex tension or shaft 131 whichextends laterally from an offset portion or plate 132 preferably fixedlysecured to the side member 104 of the frame by welding as indicated at133. An element 134 is preferably carried by the shaft 13 for lockingthe bracket assembly thereto.

The plate 132 is preferably elongate and provided with a longitudinalslot 135 and a plurality of longitudinally spaced parallel slots ornotches 136 constituting seats which are angularly disposed withreference to the longitudinal slot. The shaft 131 is secured to aU-shaped head 137 such as by welding as indicated at 138. The head isadapted to slidably accommodate the plate or mounting and a bolt 139,having a wing nut 140, extends through holes provided therefor in sideportions of the head. The shaft portion of the bolt may be selectivelydisposed in any one of the slots by reason of the longitudinalconnecting slot. For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 11, the shaftportion of the bolt is shown seated in a second slot of the fourillustrated. When the shaft portion is so secured in place by the wingnut, a base wall 141 of the head will engage the outer longitudinalmarginal edge of the plate as shown in FIGURE 14 in order to stabilizethe connection between the shaft and the plate. The frame 100 and thepropulsion means 101 as a unit may be adjusted vertically to anyelevation through the agency of bolt 139 and notches 136 and any of thevarious positions afforded by the bracket means 102.

As stated above, it is understood that two of the propulsion devices areadapted for support with respect to the sides of a boat for propellingthe latter and that this may be readily accomplished merely by impartingrotation to the drive shafts through the handles carried thereby orotherwise. In both embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of thepropulsive forces may be varied, depending on the drive forces appliedto the drive shafts and the direction that they are rotated.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact forms, constructions, arrangements andcombinations of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. A bracket assembly comprising a clamp having an upper portion, a pairof spaced depending legs, a screw for clamping a mounting between thelegs, a member carried by said upper portion and having spacedunstanding portions, a sleeve pivotally carried by said upstandingportions for slidably and rotatably supporting an elongate cylindricalelement; a pair of fittings, one of said fittings being carried by saidupper portion in spaced relation to said member and provided with afastener, and the other of said fittings being provided with means foradjustably accommodating said fastener whereby the latter may bemanipulated to secure said fittings in different relative positions,said other fitting also being provided with means for slidably androtatably receiving a cylin drical element, and means carried by saidother fitting for locking the latter in any desired slidable orrotatable position on a cylindrical element.

2. A bracket assembly comprising a clamp for attachment to a mounting, amember carried by said clamp and having spaced upstanding portions, asleeve pivotally carried by said upstanding portions for supporting anelongate cylindrical element; a pair of fittings, one of said fittingsbeing carried by said clamp in spaced relation to said member andprovided with a fastener, and the other of said fittings being providedwith means for adjustably accommodating said fastener whereby the lattermay be manipulated to secure said fittings in different relativepositions, said other fitting also being provided with means forreceiving a cylindrical element, and means carried by said other fittingfor locking the latter on a cylindrical element.

3. In combination: an elongate member and a bracket assembly, and meanswhereby said member may be adjustably secured in any one of a number ofpositions with respect to said bracket assembly, said means comprising:a first fitting carried by said bracket and a sleeve pivotally carriedby said fitting receiving said member, a second fitting carried by saidbracket in spaced relation to said first fitting and provided withfastening means, and a third fitting provided with means receiving andclamping said member and with receiving means accommodating saidfastening means whereby said third fitting may be adjustably secured tosaid second fitting and said receiving 8 means carried by said firstfitting may be pivoted relative to the latter.

4. A bracket assembly, said assembly comprising a member having an upperportion and a pair of spaced apart depending portions, a screw carriedby one of said depending portions for clamping a mounting between one ofsaid depending portions and said screw, a first upstanding fittingcarried by said upper portion of said member and provided with pivotmeans, a second upstanding fitting carried by said upper portion inspaced relation to said first fitting and provided with spaced legs,fastening means carried by said legs, an elongate third fitting havingan upper extremity provided with clamp means and a lower extremitydisposed between and guided by said legs provided with means receivingsaid fastening means in a manner whereby the latter may be manipulatedso that when an elongate element is connected to said pivot means andsaid clamp means it may be located in a position substantially parallelwith respect to said upper portion or in an inclined position withrespect thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,557,253 10/1925Johnson 115-18 2,273,815 2/1942 Bevington 11518 X CLAUDE A. LE ROY,Primary Examiner. JOHN PETO, Examiner.

1. A BRACKET ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLAMP HAVING AN UPPER PORTION, A PAIROF SPACED DEPENDING LEGS, A SCREW FOR CLAMPING A MOUNTING BETWEEN THELEGS, A MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID UPPER PORTION AND HAVING SPACEDUNSTANDING PORTIONS, A SLEEVE PIVOTALLY CARRIED BY SAID UPSTANDINGPORTIONS FOR SLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY SUPPORTING AN ELONGATE CYLINDRICALELEMENT; A PAIR OF FITTINGS, ONE OF SAID FITTINGS BEING CARRIED BY SAIDUPPER PORTION IN SPACED RELATION TO SAID MEMBER AND PROVIDED WITH AFASTENER, AND THE OTHER OF SAID FITTINGS BEING PROVIDED WITH MEANS FORADJUSTABLY ACCOMMODATING SAID FASTENER WHEREBY THE LATTER MAY BEMANIPULATED TO SECURE SAID FITTINGS IN DIFFERENT RELATIVE POSITIONS,SAID OTHER FITTING ALSO BEING PROVIDED WITH MEANS FOR SLIDABLY ANDROTATABLY RECEIVING A CYLINDRICAL ELEMENT, AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAIDOTHER FITTING FOR LOCKING THE LATTER IN ANY DESIRED SLIDABLE ORROTATABLE POSITION ON A CYLINDRICAL ELEMENT.